HERE's what Mello Mello looks like now.
The gods may have rained down a pestilence of hail, thunder, lightning and beards, but it didn’t stop the great ’n’ the good, the suits and the fashionistas, from bobbing along to the launch of The Merchant last night.
Formerly Mello Mello, survivalist bar/cafe/arts complex for whom the phrase “Money can’t buy you love” could have been coined, 42-44 Slater Street was the cash-strapped go-to of Liverpool’s beau monde.
Never far away from a final demand, punters threw a New Orleans style funeral parade in the streets when it closed.
Now the sizeable Slater Street complex has been resurrected - by the people responsible for The Shipping Forecast.
The Merchant is a great example of how a great deal of money can move - if not mountains then at least supporting walls: A couple of carefully placed RSJs have allowed two dwellings to be knocked into one impressive, sweeping ground floor room where, if you fancy a pole dance there is plenty of opportunity.
A beer garden, with red diner-style vinyl booths, has been opened behind the bar, a large picture window allowing natural light to flood in on all sides.
Alas, while these are flourishing times for distilleries, Loadsamoney plasterers are faring less well.
Mello’s distressed walls have been left exactly how years of burst pipes and damp accidentally intended: in 2016 an interior design win win.
Elsewhere ferns pay frond regards from tiny buckets on high. Eden Project meets Ibiza.
“The historic influences of the building have been retained and complemented with Scandinavian-style decor of raw plaster, light plywood and greenery,” it says here.
The city’s preoccupation with gin, cocktails and cask beer - or craft ales - sallies forth unabated and here a dedicated "gin parlour" stocks more than 50 brands.
Meanwhile, a pizzeria oven doles out fat, bang-on-the-money slices which, at under £3 you can't argue with. They are happily munched by well heeled punters and a row of security staff near the door, who, if it is anything like the Shipping Forecast, you can argue with.
An eagerness to chat without DJ intrusion led us into the chill night of the beer garden. This was a good move.
It contains its own own burger kitchen managed, every three months, by a different renowned champion of the BBQ grill.
First up it’s trendy Leeds outfit Patty Smith, led here by Dimas, a native Liverpudlian and former DJ, who has honed his talents in the kitchens of LA and Tokyo’s Roppongi. Back in the Pool for family reasons.
In amongst the knowledge gained, Dimas understands how to construct and deliver a proper excellent burger. The sort that makes you want to go back for another the next day: Juicy, medium rare, Angus beef with a 37 percent fat ratio to lean. Piquant toppings and bold flavours. A joy to behold and under six quid.
His team have spent the day hand-cutting hundreds of maris pipers and their effort shows: a tray of bone dry and crisp French fries which we devour, in the rain, under a corrugated plastic awning.
Confidential only stayed for one, but couldn't leave without seeing what they had done with Mello's WCs.
Here are some pictures we actually took ourselves.
The Merchant opens to the public tonight. You have Dimas until July.
Ready prepared: Oven ready pizza dough lies within easy grasp
A very good burger
New plumbing
Not the same old...
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